On the GOP side, Bruce Poliquin, a former state treasurer and pension fund manager, says he’s the only candidate in the race who is not a “career politician.”

He points to his life story — including the tragic loss of his wife at a young age and his deep belief in his Roman Catholic faith — as the reason he can claim to be the only “pro-life” candidate in the race. Poliquin made an unsuccessful run for governor in 2010 and for the U.S. Senate in 2012.

Poliquin’s primary opponent is former state Senate President Kevin Raye, a Republican from the Washington County town of Perry who is the former chief of staff for retired U.S. Sen. Olympia Snowe. Raye has supported abortion rights and says he doesn’t believe the government has a role to play in the relationship between a woman and her doctor.